Joining angled pieces

I am wanting to build an 4 sections (quarter sections that will be later joined together to form a circle. The pieces are 18 inches tall, made out of 2×12s. I want to join pieces of wood that are cut to 30 degrees of both sides of each board. Doweling is out because of the angle and pretty much so are biscuits for the same reason. I’m afraid that just glueing the butt joints won’t be strong enough. Any suggestions?

11 replies so far

I tried to figure out what you are trying to do here, but I must be having a senior moment. I can’t visualize the pieces and how they go together. Anyway, based on making long joints to join two adjacent boards, I think you might be able to use splines to join the pieces. You will have to adjust at the narrow end (Is there such a thing as a stopped spline?). And if you wanted to hide the splines at the outer rim, something similar would be required. Except for the stopped part, it could be done on a table saw, but be very careful with the odd shapes.

If this doesn’t help with your problem, it at least bumps you to back to the front page where someone smarter can help.

I think I have what you are saying pictured in my head but I may be wrong.

I have done this sort of thing with biscuits before and it was not that difficult. I just built a simple jig to hold everything straight until it dried.

However, there was a conversation on LJs a while back about the best way to do something similar and it was a very good discussion. Some of the more experienced LJs suggested using tape to help fold up and hold together the joints. This actually seems like a better way to do it than what I did.

I’m not very good with the LJ search button so I don’t know how to get to that discussion. Hopefully some of the guys will remember that recent discussion. Otherwise perhaps they will just chime into this discussion.

When you glue the four assemblies together perhaps you might use the ratchet tie down clamps or similar type woodworking clamps (can’t remember common name for them). Anyways, sorry I could not be of better help. I just can’t find that discussion.

-- If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau

A Kreg jig and pocket screws should work fine. You will have to make a wedge block to attach the drill jig to to make the pocket screw holes. Use a scrap wood set up to find the correct screw legnth for the angle you are going through.

-- Nils, So. Central MI. Wood is honest.Take the effort to understand what it has to tell you before you try to change it.

I glued the pieces up before I cut the circle out of them. At each joint there will be some waste material that will eventually be cut off when you cut the circle. I drilled 2 holes in each piece in the waste material and put dowels in these holes vertically (about 2 inches exposed on the top and bottom). I then did a dowel joint. In my case, I used 4 dowels for the joint that were evenly spaced.

You can use the vertical dowels for 4 clamps and pull this thing together. By adjusting the clamping pressure on the bottom and top, you can be sure to keep them perfectly flat.

I had one situation where I did not have enough waste material available so I glued a “wing” on and cut it off later.

I’m having trouble visualizing what you’re trying to make, but I’d give biscuits a second thought. They can be used for angles, at least 45 deg. ones. I made a wishing well with 2X4’s cut on an angle to make the ‘circle’. I used glue and my nail gun and it’s doing fine 4 yrs later.Vicki

Once in a while, I use a little brad that is in a place out of the way where it will never be hit if future cutting is needed. Pre-drill one side, drive it in and leave a little bit of point sticking out. It will catch, maintain alignment while the glue dries.

-- Bob in WW ~ "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence

I would agree with Howie . use a slot cutter ( on a routertable) and put biscuits in. Really your biscuit joiner should adjust enough to do this. I have used biscuits to do 8 sided planter boxes and they work great.